"It appears that Gail Palmgren lost control of her Jeep on East Brow Road," the letter states.

Plans for a memorial service are under way, it states. In the meantime, Davis said the family is asking for privacy.

"We ask the community to give Matthew Palmgren and the Palmgren children the necessary space and time to deal with their loss and the proper respect for their family during this extremely difficult time."

Arlene Durham, a close friend of Gail Palmgren who lives in Wetumpka, Ala., still feels a lack of closure. She plans to travel to Signal Mountain today.

Durham said she hasn't rested well in the seven months since Palmgren disappeared. She looked continually for resources that would bring her friend home.

"It's been hard. It's been heavy on my heart. I knew in my heart last night," she said. "I'm glad the kids know their mom didn't leave them. The next question is what really happened."

Durham knew Palmgren was upset about something the day before she returned to Signal Mountain on April 30. She doesn't feel that would have caused her to wreck, though.

"I feel she was in a regular state of mind. She was upset, but not out of her mind," she said. "Why was she on that road? I don't think she did it on purpose. I believe it was an accident; either that, or someone bumped her."